CBS Information California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts sat for in-depth interviews with the candidates operating to switch Gov. Gavin Newsom when he phrases out in 2026.
On this ongoing collection, candidates are pressed to transcend marketing campaign speaking factors to offer direct solutions on a variety of matters necessary to voters, reminiscent of Proposition 50 and congressional redistricting, immigration, homelessness, gasoline costs, reasonably priced housing, insurance coverage and extra.
Candidates within the race for California governor embody Democrats Xavier Becerra, Ian Calderon, Stephen J. Cloobeck, Katie Porter, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee; Republicans Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton and Leo Zacky; and Inexperienced Get together candidate Butch Ware. Initially, we additionally interviewed former California State Senate President Professional Tem Toni Atkins, however she has since dropped out of the race.
The place the candidates for California governor stand on redistricting, Proposition 50
Within the first installment of this collection, the remaining 11 gubernatorial candidates share where they stand on redistricting and Proposition 50, the poll measure backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that, if permitted by voters in a Nov. 4 particular election, would authorize California lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The trouble, which is aimed toward sending extra Democrats to Congress, is supposed to counter Texas’ latest redistricting push that favors Republicans and was backed by President Trump.
Whereas most Democratic candidates supported the plan and Republicans criticized it, the interviews uncovered factors of pressure, with former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter threatening to call off the interview over follow-up questions. She in the end stayed and continued answering questions.
In upcoming installments of the collection, the candidates will share their views on matters together with crime, gasoline costs, immigration, homelessness and extra in California.
Candidates share one factor Newsom and the state Legislature did mistaken and proper
In our “One Query” collection, we provide voters a short introduction to every candidate by asking: “What do you suppose our present governor and legislature did proper, and what would you might have achieved otherwise?” You could find the full YouTube playlist with each video here and hyperlinks to every candidate’s response beneath.
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra is a former California lawyer common who served as Well being and Human Providers secretary within the Biden administration. Becerra stated he credit Newsom for strengthening the state’s economic system. On what he’d do otherwise, Becerra stated he would have acted extra rapidly than Newsom on points like California’s high-speed rail venture and the statewide housing disaster. Watch here.
Chad Bianco
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stated he might solely reward Newsom for “appearing like a Republican” in what he says is the governor’s bid for the presidency. Bianco then stated that he could not consider a single factor the state Legislature has achieved proper throughout his seven years as sheriff. Watch here.
Ian Calderon
Calderon, former state Meeting majority chief, praised Newsom for his efforts to handle California’s housing disaster and the legislature for specializing in addressing on-line security for kids. Calderon stated he does imagine the State of California has “misplaced the plot,” which means that state leaders ought to focus extra on California points somewhat than what is going on on in Washington, D.C. Watch here.
Stephen J. Cloobeck
Cloobeck, a enterprise government, stated what he believes Newsom has achieved nicely as governor is be lively within the public and communities. On why he is within the gubernatorial race, Cloobeck stated he is “sick and drained” of the Trump administration “making us look foolish.” Watch here.
Steve Hilton
Public coverage professional Steve Hilton stated the factor he most agrees with Newsom on is limiting smartphone use in colleges. If elected, Hilton stated he would work to enhance California’s rising housing prices, which he stated he believes is the highest purpose why residents are leaving the state. Watch here.
Katie Porter
Client safety lawyer and legislation professor Katie Porter praised Newsom for making college lunches free by the governor’s common meals program. Porter stated, if she had been governor, she would work to convey down housing prices statewide. Watch here.
Tony Thurmond
California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond lauded Gov. Newsom for being a artistic thinker and for investments in public schooling. If elected, Thurmond stated he would prioritize addressing California’s insurance coverage disaster and creating extra reasonably priced housing. Watch here.
Antonio Villaraigosa
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa criticized Newsom’s determination to maintain youngsters out of colleges for so long as he did in the course of the pandemic. He stated two issues Newsom and the legislature received proper had been well being care and baby care. Watch here.
Butch Ware
College of California professor Butch Ware criticized Newsom’s response to immigration raids and the homeless disaster. Ware additionally disagreed with Newsom’s use of social media to problem the Trump administration, however appreciated the governor’s effort to battle again. Watch here.
Betty Yee
Former State Controller Betty Yee recommended Newsom’s potential to be current and accessible throughout key points and emergencies just like the COVID-19 pandemic. Yee stated, if elected, she would concentrate on enhancing California’s fiscal accountability. Watch here.
Leo Zacky
Enterprise proprietor Leo Zacky stated he is operating to “convey widespread sense options to save lots of my residence state.” Zacky stated he could not consider one factor the governor or the state Legislature has achieved nicely whereas Newsom has been in workplace. Zacky particularly criticized elevating California’s minimal wage for quick meals employees. Watch here.
2025 California Instructional Gubernatorial Discussion board
On September 8, Watts moderated the nonpartisan 2025 California Educational Gubernatorial Forum, which featured lots of the candidates vying to be the subsequent governor, together with Becerra, Porter, Thurmond, Villaraigosa, Yee, Hilton and Zacky. The occasion was hosted by Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) and California State College, Sacramento.
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Julie Watts, CBS Information California Investigates: @JulieWattsTV Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
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